Abstract: A platelet-shaped PVD metallic effect pigment having first and second outer faces, the platelet-shaped PVD metallic effect pigment having at least one PVD layer, the at least one PVD layer including elemental metal with clusters of elemental metal and metal oxide. The amounts of elemental metal in the first outer face and in the second outer face of the PVD metallic effect pigment are different from one another and they differ by at least 10 atom %. The disclosure further relates to a method for producing these platelet-shaped PVD metallic effect pigments, and to their use.

Abstract: In the field of a slide rail for tensioning and guiding an endless drive member, comprising at least one bore and a screw captively held in the bore, permitting the captive mounting of screws even in thin-walled slide rails is provided. A sleeve is mounted in the bore and the sleeve comprises engagement elements at its end facing the rail, said engagement elements being engaged with the wall of the bore, and a stop collar lying against a stop surface formed at the slide rail, and lock elements are embodied in the sleeve which engage the thread of the screw and lock the screw at least in an assembly position, wherein said slide rail is thin-walled. Furthermore, an assembly method is provided for manufacturing the slide rail with a captively held screw and to the loss prevention device per se.

Abstract: Methods for the conditioning of bioprosthetic material employ bovine pericardial membrane. A laser directed at the fibrous surface of the membrane and moved relative thereto reduces the thickness of the membrane to a specific uniform thickness and smoothes the surface. The wavelength, power and pulse rate of the laser are selected which will smooth the fibrous surface as well as ablate the surface to the appropriate thickness. Alternatively, a dermatome is used to remove a layer of material from the fibrous surface of the membrane. Thinning may also employ compression. Stepwise compression with cross-linking to stabilize the membrane is used to avoid damaging the membrane through inelastic compression. Rather, the membrane is bound in the elastic compressed state through addition cross-linking. The foregoing several thinning techniques may be employed together to achieve strong thin membranes.

Abstract: A method for producing a tensioning or guide rail with a base body, and a vibration absorber arranged on the base body is provided, comprising the steps of: providing a base body, at least partially embedding the base body into plastic material that is in a flowable state, and hardening the plastic material to obtain a vibration absorber that is captively arranged on the base body. The method also relates to a respective rail and to a continuous drive for a combustion engine.

Abstract: A catheter is configured to prevent kinking of a catheter during handling or mounting of a pressure device. The catheter has a proximal end of its catheter shaft that is provided with a bending section having a flexibility greater than that of the section of the catheter shaft joining the proximal end.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching tissue to bone in a shifted position without requiring surgical detachment of muscle or connective tissue joining the tissue layer to the bone layer. The skin layer is gently pulled in a non-surgical manner and a fastener of the invention is driven through the skin layer into the bone layer to effect a “skin tightening” procedure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are exemplary embodiments of suture securement devices that replace the need to tie knots in sutures. Some embodiments comprise an annular outer body and one or more suture engagement tabs extending inwardly from the outer body. The devices can comprise a superelastic and/or shape-memory material and have a generally in-plane initial configuration. The suture engagement portions are deformable out-of-plane to an active configuration with the outer body compressed and the tabs interlocked with each other. The device can be heat-set in the deformed configuration. The interlocked tabs exert a pinching force on sutures passing between them that restricts the sutures from sliding through the opening in one longitudinal direction.

Abstract: Disclosed systems for implanting annuloplasty rings and other prosthetic devices can comprise a plurality of microanchors, sutures threaded through the microanchors, the sutures passing through the prosthetic device, individual microanchor guides, such as tubes or spears, for each microanchor that contain the microanchors during delivery and allow for positioning and deployment of the microanchors into annular tissue. The systems can also comprise a bracket that is temporarily coupled to the prosthetic device, holds the plurality of microanchor guides in position relative to one another and relative to the prosthetic device, and/or guides the sutures passing through the prosthetic device. The prosthetic device can include suture locking mechanisms to secure the prosthetic device to the sutures and to the implanted microanchors after the deployment devices have been removed.

Abstract: Methods for the conditioning of bioprosthetic material employ bovine pericardial membrane. A laser directed at the fibrous surface of the membrane and moved relative thereto reduces the thickness of the membrane to a specific uniform thickness and smoothes the surface. The wavelength, power and pulse rate of the laser are selected which will smooth the fibrous surface as well as ablate the surface to the appropriate thickness. Alternatively, a dermatome is used to remove a layer of material from the fibrous surface of the membrane. Thinning may also employ compression. Stepwise compression with cross-linking to stabilize the membrane is used to avoid damaging the membrane through inelastic compression. Rather, the membrane is bound in the elastic compressed state through addition cross-linking. The foregoing several thinning techniques may be employed together to achieve strong thin membranes.

Abstract: The invention relates to metallic effect pigment, the metallic effect pigment having at least one diffractive structure and at least one layer which comprises metal nanoparticles and metal oxide phase, the metal of the metal oxide phase and the metal of the metal nanoparticles in this at least one layer being identical. The invention further relates to a process for preparing these metallic effect pigments, to a coating composition, and to a coated article.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a delivery system for delivering a medical device. The delivery system includes an inner member having a proximal end and a distal end. The inner member defines a longitudinal axis between the proximal end and the distal end. A tip is formed at the distal end of the inner member. A bumper is freely disposed on the inner member. The bumper has a proximal end and a distal end. A seat is defined between the tip and the distal end of the bumper. Additionally, a sheath is disposed about the inner member, the sheath having a proximal end and a distal end. The sheath is movable from a first sheath position substantially covering the seat, and a second sheath position axially offset to expose the seat. The invention also includes a handle in contact with the proximal end of the inner member.

Abstract: Methods for the conditioning of bioprosthetic material employ bovine pericardial membrane. A laser directed at the fibrous surface of the membrane and moved relative thereto reduces the thickness of the membrane to a specific uniform thickness and smoothes the surface. The wavelength, power and pulse rate of the laser are selected which will smooth the fibrous surface as well as ablate the surface to the appropriate thickness. Alternatively, a dermatome is used to remove a layer of material from the fibrous surface of the membrane. Thinning may also employ compression. Stepwise compression with cross-linking to stabilize the membrane is used to avoid damaging the membrane through inelastic compression. Rather, the membrane is bound in the elastic compressed state through addition cross-linking. The foregoing several thinning techniques may be employed together to achieve strong thin membranes.

Abstract: Methods for the conditioning of bioprosthetic material employ bovine pericardial membrane. A laser directed at the fibrous surface of the membrane and moved relative thereto reduces the thickness of the membrane to a specific uniform thickness and smoothes the surface. The wavelength, power and pulse rate of the laser are selected which will smooth the fibrous surface as well as ablate the surface to the appropriate thickness. Alternatively, a dermatome is used to remove a layer of material from the fibrous surface of the membrane. Thinning may also employ compression. Stepwise compression with cross-linking to stabilize the membrane is used to avoid damaging the membrane through inelastic compression. Rather, the membrane is bound in the elastic compressed state through addition cross-linking. The foregoing several thinning techniques may be employed together to achieve strong thin membranes.

Abstract: With a lighting device for a vehicle with at least one signal lamp as well as an additional lamp a first covering, through which a part of the light generated by the signal lamp is radiated, is arranged. A part of the light generated by the signal lamp is directed via a light guide into the region of the additional lamp and radiated in the region of the additional lamp.

Abstract: A stent comprises a tubular flexible body composed of a web structure that is expandable from a contracted delivery configuration to a deployed configuration and that comprises neighboring web patterns of alternating concavities extending circumferentially and adjoined by X-shaped transition sections. The web pattern may comprise either arcuate struts interconnected by bends, or a plurality of substantially straight sections with the transition sections formed by the junctions between pairs of adjacent bends of opposite curvatures.

Abstract: A device, system, and method for providing access to, and sealing of, a body organ includes an implant device. An implant device has a main body having an internal access lumen, with a plurality of prongs extending from a distal end of the main body. The main body can include two lumens, one slidable within the other, to form a single continuous lumen with an adjustable length. The main body has an expanded configuration with an expanded diameter, and an unexpanded configuration with an unexpanded diameter. The prongs have a generally straight configuration where they extend distally of the distal end of the main body, and a bent configuration where the prongs bend around so that their tips extend proximally of the distal end of the main body. The device may include a hemostatic barrier to prevent fluid leakage therethrough when the main body is in the unexpanded configuration.

Abstract: A catheter is configured to prevent kinking of a catheter during handling or mounting of a pressure device. The catheter has a proximal end of its catheter shaft that is provided with a bending section having a flexibility greater than that of the section of the catheter shaft joining the proximal end.

Abstract: A catheter is configured to prevent kinking of a catheter during handling or mounting of a pressure device. The catheter has a proximal end of its catheter shaft that is provided with a bending section having a flexibility greater than that of the section of the catheter shaft joining the proximal end.

Abstract: A platelet-shaped PVD metallic effect pigment having first and second outer faces, the platelet-shaped PVD metallic effect pigment having at least one PVD layer, the at least one PVD layer including elemental metal with clusters of elemental metal and metal oxide. The amounts of elemental metal in the first outer face and in the second outer face of the PVD metallic effect pigment are different from one another and they differ by at least 10 atom %. The disclosure further relates to a method for producing these platelet-shaped PVD metallic effect pigments, and to their use.

Abstract: Methods for the conditioning of bioprosthetic material employ bovine pericardial membrane. A laser directed at the fibrous surface of the membrane and moved relative thereto reduces the thickness of the membrane to a specific uniform thickness and smoothes the surface. The wavelength, power and pulse rate of the laser are selected which will smooth the fibrous surface as well as ablate the surface to the appropriate thickness. Alternatively, a dermatome is used to remove a layer of material from the fibrous surface of the membrane. Thinning may also employ compression. Stepwise compression with cross-linking to stabilize the membrane is used to avoid damaging the membrane through inelastic compression. Rather, the membrane is bound in the elastic compressed state through addition cross-linking. The foregoing several thinning techniques may be employed together to achieve strong thin membranes.